Imported Metal Packaging Supply Chain Management in the Manufacturing Industry in Tanzania - Jean-Marie Chris Bwemo - Bog

Master's Thesis from the year 2014 in the subject Business economics - Supply, Production, Logistics, grade: 4.2, University of Dar es Salaam (UDBS), course: Master of International Business, language: English, abstract: This study aimed at examining the factors influencing imported metal packaging supply chain management in the manufacturing industry in Tanzania: A Case of Tinplate Packaging in Dar Es Salaam Region. Data were collected using Self-administered questionnaires, interviews and documentary review from 65 respondents, who yielded a 100% percent return rate. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0; particularly in cross tabulation. In consequence, the findings were tabulated and summarized, with frequencies, percentages, tables and figures obtained.

The study result shows that, the company was satisfied with the regular mentoring of its employees to improve the production quality, recruiting qualified employees and securing them to enhance quality production. Also, the company considered education or technical skills as factors for an employee to be recruited. In addition, it was revealed that the company was not satisfied with the qualification of the employees, the quality of employees¿ training gained before to deliver the desired level of the company¿s production.

Looking at the technology employed, the study revealed that the adopted technology by the company is suitable for production in Tanzaniäs context though lack of human capital made the company not to operate optimally as they fail to operate available machines for production. Moreover, the study results found that the prices of raw materials do not vary much and not significant because of the arrangement and strategy used by the firm to buy raw materials in collective way and in bulk to lower cost and increase negotiation power.

The availability of raw material being limited because of the few producers and long period of production. Based on the study findings, it is recommended that policy makers of production should take into account that metal packaging firms depend on imported raw materials and therefore try to smoothen importation procedures and tax rates so as to stimulate development of that sector in the packaging industry. Also, policy makers should try to convince the government to start educational courses on metal packaging supply chain. Moreover, firms in the industry should keep enough raw materials because business environment is very dynamic.